During the course of 2025, the Refugee Zakat Fund significantly expanded its geographic reach, deepening engagement across Africa and in South America. This expansion reflects the Fund’s growing capacity to respond to diverse displacement contexts while maintaining full adherence to Sharia principles and donor intent.

In Africa, Islamic philanthropy funding enabled UNHCR to extend support to new operations in Botswana and the Central African Republic, expanding assistance to displaced populations in underfunded contexts. In Botswana, contributions amounting to approximately USD 200,000 supported an estimated 213 households (852 individuals) through cash assistance modalities, addressing urgent protection and basic needs. In the Central African Republic, additional contributions totaling USD 270,000 facilitated access to education for approximately 1,325 households (3,975 individuals) in highly vulnerable displacement settings, helping displaced children continue their education where access to schooling remains severely constrained.

At the same time, 2025 marked the first-ever deployment of Refugee Zakat Fund resources in Brazil and Colombia, representing a significant milestone in the Fund’s evolution. In Brazil, contributions amounting to approximately USD 1 Million enabled UNHCR to support an estimated 1,394 displaced persons through Zakat-compliant interventions and 392 with Sadaqah donations, marking the Fund’s inaugural engagement in the country. Similarly in Colombia, additional contributions supported 394 vulnerable households supporting them towards long-term empowerment, extending the reach of Islamic philanthropy to complex displacement contexts in the Americas.

Together, the expansion of operations across Africa and the Refugee Zakat Fund’s engagement in South America confirms its position as a truly global, principled and adaptable Islamic philanthropy platform, capable of translating donor trust into measurable humanitarian impact wherever needs are greatest.